|Story Start|

|Jacob ‘Jake’ Forrest|

“Come on man!” Cole complained, smacking my back. “We came here to have fun, stop sulking! You’re scaring all the chicks away!” He exclaimed. I sighed “Cole you know I don’t give a fuck.” I replied. Cole groaned and gave me a sad look “Jake, I know you’re upset about Rose but you have got to trust that we will find her. We came here to Graystone for a reason. We just need to keep an eye open for now. It’s Matt and Marks turn to find a lead, now will you try to have some fun?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms “This isn’t supposed to be fun we’re supposed to be finding Rosalie” I said seriously. Cole sighed and gave me a look “Jake, I know you love her and all but-” he started to say, I cut him off getting slightly angry. “Dude you have no idea how I feel, just leave it the fuck alone” I spit out, giving him a hard glare. Cole sighed but nodded his head knowing that I wasn’t in the mood for his shit.  He had no idea how I felt about her, she was- is my best friend and I never had the chance to tell her how I really felt. Now that stupid wolf has his grimy little paws on her and that just made my anger spike. I mean what if she is a mate to one of them? I don’t know what I would do. “

“Dude hottie 12 O’clock” Cole says nudging my side with his elbow. I looked up and saw two human girls checking us out. I knew from the way they were giggling that Cole was using his charm on them. I couldn’t really concentrate so I just looked passed them with a bored expression on my face. There was only one girl that could spark my interest and that was…

Rosalie?

I rubbed my eyes and shook my head, I think my imagination might be working a little too hard right now.

I peered passed the two girls and looked closer at the Pizza Pizza line. There was a girl, who had an uncanny resemblance to Rosalie. She had dark hair that tumbled down her back and down to her waist in beautiful waves, I couldn’t see her face but I could see the side of it and she looked to be smiling and laughing at the guy in front of her. For some reason I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her, willing for her to turn around so I could see her face.

Looks like luck was on my side…for once

I felt like all the breath had been knocked out of me and I looked at her with complete surprise all over my face. Those clear blue eyes were boring into mine and she looked just as shocked as I did, there was no mistaking those eyes. It was Rose, it was definitely her. I would know her anywhere no matter how she looked or what she wore.

I frowned when the guy beside her began to tug on her arm. She seemed to snap out if the trance we had and began to hurriedly whisper to her friend, he gave her a shocked look before looking over at me with a hard glare. I gave her a look of pure confusion, why wasn’t she trying to run away from him? Shouldn’t she be glad that I was here? I started to panic a little bit when he grabbed her bags and Rosalie began to follow him away from the food court, with only giving me a small glance. She was worried for some reason; I could see it from the crease that had formed on her forehead and the way she was biting her lip nervously.

“Cole, look that’s Rosalie over there!!” I hissed. Cole gave me a confused look before following where my eyes were. “Holy shit man what do we do!?” he asked getting the same panicked look and completely forgetting about the ‘hotties.’

“Follow them you idiot! Now call Matt and Mark, we need to get going!”

|Rosalie Burns|

“Are you sure that was him Luna?”

I gave Logan a glare half because he didn’t trust me and half because he called me Luna. I already knew that once I told him it was Jake that he would go into his third in command mode. That was another thing I learned today. Logan was the third in command and that guy from before Noah, the one that found me, yeah he was the beta.

“Logan, I think I can tell when one of my best friends, whom I grew up with by the way, is here or not. That was definitely Jake and the guy beside him was Cole.” I snapped. Logan sighed and gave me an apologetic look “I’m sorry Luna but I had to make sure before we call Asher away from his duties. I just mind linked to him what was going on and he should be here in 5 minutes. I think he’s going to try and contact you too” Logan informed me. I nodded my head, I was waiting for his voice to enter my mind.

I chanced a glance behind me as Logan and I dodged through the throng of people, he was leading me out of the mall and I saw Lena and Joseph at the entrance. As much as it pained me to do so, I had to leave Cole and Jake behind. As much as I wanted to go home I knew that leaving Asher would be even worse. I saw that Cole and Jake were catching up and that Cole was talking quickly on the phone, it looked like he was arguing with some one. 

 I quickly turned back around before I could catch either of their eyes, but it was too late I already saw how heartbroken Jake looked. I began to feel guilty and tears formed in my eyes. But before I could do anything Asher’s soothing voice entered my mind.

Hey baby girl are you alright? I could hear the concern that was laced in with his words. I smiled even though he couldn’t see it and his voice made me feel a lot calmer than I originally felt. 

Hi, yeah I’m okay. When are you going to get here? I asked, biting my lip again. I really just wanted to feel his arms around me. Asher made me feel safe, I didn’t know how many hunters could be around the area. I bet my father sent more than he let on. Normally he would send just the squad but I’m guessing since it was my friends he sent a couple more people in secret, just in case.

I’ll be there soon sweetheart, don’t worry. He said soothingly. My heartbeat was slowly calming and once we reached Lena and Joseph I was almost completely calm.

I told you, you would miss me. I'm just upset I didn't get to see you in any of the sexy underwear I would have chosen he teased when I didn’t say anything for a while. I felt a bubble of laughter come up from my throat, he was always thinking with the wrong head when it came to me. My laugh caused the guys and Lena to give me a funny look as we hurried out of the mall. “Asher” was all I said and they all nodded in understanding. “Well let’s get going, we just had to park the car on the other end of the parking lot didn’t we!” Lena complained. I nodded my head in agreement, why wasn’t luck on our side today?

I turned around and gasped, Jake and Cole have been joined by a couple other people. But they couldn’t do anything right now, we were surrounded by normal people. That could put so many people in danger. Thankfully there was a forest near the edge of the parking lot, all we had to do was get there and I knew Asher would be waiting.

“Rosalie!!” Jake called. I was going to turn around again but Joseph’s hand stopped me, I looked at him “No Luna, you can’t show him how vulnerable you are right now” he explained. I nodded my head and let a tear slip out. I felt like such a mean person, Jake was always there for me and now he was getting hurt because of me. What kind of person am I? I must be a horrible friend! But before I could wallow in anymore self pity Asher’s voice entered my mind again.

I’m at the forest edge Asher informed me.

I felt my heart soar and my legs began to pick up the pace. I started to zoom pass the cars and let my instincts take over. A few more minutes and I would be at the edge of the forest.

Finally I was a foot inside the forest and was looking around when a tall half naked body stepped out from behind a tree. I smiled and practically threw myself at Asher. Wanting to feel safe again, I smiled when his arms wrapped around my waist and the familiar warmth spread throughout my body. I sighed in content and felt myself fully relax.

“Are you alright?” he asked against my hair. I nodded my head and snuggled into his chest “I am now” I murmured back. He kissed my forehead quickly before crushing me to his chest, in a comfortable way; I let my head lay there and just relaxed as Asher began to talk to his pack. I just stood there and kept my arms around his waist while he held me close; enjoying the calming feeling I was getting from him.

But of course that had to be ruined when growls started to fill the area.

I pulled my face away from Asher’s chest and gulped. I looked up and saw he was staring at me “You might want to turn around sweetheart” he murmured. I nodded and took a breath before doing as he asked. Once I turned around Jake, Cole and a couple others burst through the trees. My breath caught in my throat when I saw Cole and Jake look at me.

“Rosalie…” he murmured, taking a step towards me. But Asher began to growl and switched me around so I was behind him like a shield. That didn’t stop me from peering around his waist and looking at my best friends. I was too chocked up too say anything and just stared at them while tears filled my eyes. Looking at them now I could see Jake hadn’t been doing very well. Cole looked a bit better but not by much. 

Jake looked completely exhausted, he had bags under his half-closed eyes and his face was so sullen, it looked like he hadn’t eaten or slept in days. There was no colour in his cheeks and the usual twinkle in his green eyes was gone, his brown hair was messy and unkempt not like the usual styled hair he had. Jake looked utterly defeated and I frowned slightly, that could not be healthy for him. Cole looked tired but he looked healthy enough and I was glad at least one of my boys was doing a little bit better.

You could feel the tension that was in the air. I swear I could take a knife and cut through it if I really wanted to. 

“Get off our land hunter” Asher said in his alpha tone. I saw Jake’s flicker towards him before landing on me again. “Not without Rose” he said back just as confident as Asher did. I looked up and saw that Asher was giving Jake a glare so scary that it even made me shiver a bit at how intense it was. Asher growled and grasped one of my hands in his, Jake saw the motion and his eyes flashed and his lips tightened in a grim line.

“Sorry but Rose is staying with me” Asher stated. Jake turned his attention back to Asher “She doesn’t belong to you, shifter. You have no use for her” Jake said reaching a hand out to me. I badly wanted to reach out and take it but not only would that hurt Asher, deep down I knew that it would hurt me as well. Asher wasn’t with me today and I missed him way too much, I felt complete now that I was in his arms again.

“Actually hunter she is mine, my mate” he informed Jake, the smugness in his voice was hard to miss. I couldn’t help but flinch just a little bit at the declaration as Jake’s face turned to one of pure horror. “No you have to be lying” he muttered. Cole gave me a shocked look as did the other hunters. “Rose is that true?” Cole asked. I felt tears spill over my eyes as I nodded my head, didn’t my dad tell them?

“Didn’t my dad tell you?” I asked gaining confidence in my tone. What was I doing hiding behind Asher? I knew these people, they wouldn’t hurt me. Slowly I maneuvered my body around his so I was standing beside Asher and just holding his hand. That’s more like the Rosalie I knew, I wasn’t some helpless little girl. If it really came down to it I could protect myself. Asher growled slightly and made a move to stand in front of me. I gave him a small glare and shook my head “They won’t hurt me Asher” I murmured.

Asher didn’t look happy but complied with my wishes, except he unclasped our hands and took his arm, wrapping it around my waist. Jake glared at his arm and I wondered why, I mean it wasn’t like Asher was going to hurt me. Well then again I guess he didn’t know that Asher and I were really mates, well he knew but didn’t believe me.

“You mean Jared knew?” Cole asked in disbelief. I nodded my head and gave him a confused look “Yeah and so did Matt” I informed him. Jake’s head snapped to mine “Matt knew!?” he exclaimed. “Yeah…” I said not really knowing what else to say. I was a little but shocked that my dad and Matt hadn’t told them.

“That bastard” Cole muttered.

“You could be lying, if you really are mates then why haven’t you mated?” Jake asked. I sighed but before I could answer Asher did. “Not my choice, Rosalie seems adamant on getting to know each other first. But there are more than one way to get to know someone” he said, I twisted in his arms so I could give him a look to show I was not very pleased with his insinuation but I still blushed at his suggestive tone and I had to slap his hand playfully when it was traveling down towards my butt.

“TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!!” Jake yelled stomping over. Joseph got in front of us “I’m sorry but I can’t let you go any further” he said. Jake glowered “Like hell you can’t” he growled out. Before I even knew what was happening Jake threw a punch at Joseph.

That’s when all hell went loose.

Well it would have if Asher didn’t stop it.

That’s a lie Asher stopped it after a couple minutes, a few punches were thrown and so were a couple of kicks and other stuff. The shifters that had shifted came out and were growling at my family. I flinched, this was so wrong. I couldn’t just pick side.

“ENOUGH!” Asher boomed and surprisingly both sides stopped. “As much as I want to do this we can’t. I won’t risk my mate getting hurt, not to mention the fact that there are humans just beyond the tree line” he said sounding very authoritative. My body involuntarily shivered, that should have scared most people but no when he went all alpha on people it turned me on. What the hell was wrong with me?

Jake, Cole and the rest of the hunters started to back away until there was a respectable distance between all of us. Jake seemed to be a little bit calm but the fury was still evident in his eyes, a small and mocking smile made it’s way onto his lips “You’re right, Rose’s safety comes first. But remember this Alpha” he started, saying alpha in a mocking tone. “You may have the upper hand right now but we are hunters. We have been taking out your kind since the dawn of time and now that you have something precious to us we’re going to come at you with everything we’ve got. Rosalie is mine, and that’s the way it’s always going to be” Jake finished his voice was cold and menacing, his smile turned into a cocky smirk.

I felt Asher start to shake and he immediately brought me into his arms, I wanted to hug back but I couldn’t I was too shocked with what Jake had said. How many times is a male going to claim me as theirs? I mean Asher I understand but Jake? I don’t get why he called me his. I mean I get I was his best friend but wasn’t I Cole’s as well? I was so confused. My head was pounding and I just really needed to go back to Asher’s place and have a nice good and long cry.

“Rose” Jake’s voice called, turning soft and sweet. It reminded me if before I was kidnapped so I twisted in Asher’s arms so I could face him. “Yeah?” I whispered out, suddenly feeling tired. “I’ll get you back, don’t worry. I know you probably don’t need me to tell you this but I feel like I have to” he said, making me give him a curious look. “What is it?” I asked. Jake took a deep breath but Cole stopped him from saying anything by putting his hand on his shoulder. “Not now” Cole said.

Jake gave him a hard glare before nodding. “Fine, but next time you can’t stop me” Jake said. Cole nodded before turning to me. “We miss you Rose, be safe okay?” Cole asked, this was the first time he sounded so… vulnerable. To be honest it was kind of weird and made my heart melt just a little bit because my boys were missing me just as much as I missed them. “She’ll be safe with me” Asher growled out. I sighed, here comes Mr. Overprotective. But nonetheless I gave Cole a small nod and said a soft “I will, now go please before Asher changes his mind”

Cole nodded and began to drag Jake away, who was still staring at me. “We’ll be back, don’t forget that. We still have another month” Jake called before they fully vanished into the trees. I paled, oh god I totally forgot about that! How could I? Ugh I can be so stupid sometimes.

“Joseph, take the others and make sure they get off of our land, then once you get back there will be a pack council meeting” Asher commanded. I saw Joseph nod before signaling a couple of wolves and rushing off after my best friends. Lena came up to me and jerked me out of Asher’s grasp and into a tight hug. “First, I bought you some undergarments because I just couldn’t resist and second are you alright!?” she asked. I nodded my head “Course, I’ve got Mr. Big Bag Alpha over here to protect me” I teased trying to lighten the mood a little. Lena chuckled a bit as did the boys. Everyone was still a little bit tense and I really wanted them to calm down a bit, I knew my boys and they would stay true to their word and leave for now.

“What did he mean by ‘We still have another month’” Asher asked. I breathed out before untangling myself from Lena. “I think I should tell you that when we’re alone” I murmured. I didn’t know why but I felt like this piece of information should only be shared with Asher and if he wanted to tell the rest of the pack then he can do so. Lena gave me a confused look but I shook my head, I would most likely tell her after but I wanted to tell Asher first. It wasn’t a big deal to me but to him it might be. Asher, Lena, Logan and I were the only ones left in the forest.

So I stared at the two, Logan and Lena, hoping that they would understand that I wanted to talk alone with Asher.

“Well… that was one hell of a conversation” Logan stated after a minute of awkward silence. Lena sighed before walking over to him and pinching his arm. “Ow! The hell Lee!?” he cried shooting her a dirty look. Lena rolled her eyes before grasping his arm and tugging him away from us “Don’t you understand that they want some time alone, you idiot!?” she exclaimed as she dragged him away. “Whoa didn’t know you liked it rough Lena” he said quickly slipping from her grasp and placing an arm around her hip. Lena groaned and shoved him off of her, those two were so amusing. “Would you stuff it?!” she asked as their words began to fade as they walked back towards the car we came in and vanished between the trees.

I sighed and leaned my head against Asher’s chest. For some reason I was feeling completely exhausted, “Carry me!” I demanded holding my arms out and giving Asher a small pout. He laughed and pecked me on the lips before he picked me up, my arms sliding around his neck while my legs wrapped around his waist. Of course being the horny wolf that he is, his hands slid down to cup my ass.

As we were walking my eyes began to close and I slowly drifted to sleep.

Only one thing was on my mind before I succumb to the darkness… 

How did I not notice his tattoo before!?

* * * * * *

“Rosalie…”

“Babe…” 

“Wake up…”

A soothing voice murmured, slowly waking me from my slumber. I kept my eyes closed for a few more minutes before sighing and slowly opening them. I found that I was staring into a pair of familiar golden eyes. “Asher…” I breathed. A smirk came over his face and he moved so I could sit. “You sleep like the dead” Asher said once I was fully sitting up. I noticed that he had carried me home and I was currently lying on the bed while he was beside me. 

I rolled my eyes “Yeah that’s definitely the way to a girls heart” I mumbled sarcastically. Asher grinned before leaning in and giving me a short and sweet kiss. I had to admit that it was wonderful and I kind of didn’t want him to pull away. But when he did pull away I pouted and he laughed giving me another peck but this time on my forehead. “I’ll kiss you again if you tell me what that stupid hunter meant about that whole one month thing” he bargained.

I rolled my eyes “You don’t have to bribe me, I was going to tell you anyways” I said. Asher pouted “So you don’t want me to kiss you?” he asked. I rolled my eyes again “I didn’t mean that” I said. Asher smirked “So you do want to kiss me” he stated. I blushed “I didn’t say that either!” I exclaimed. Asher laughed and pulled me into a hug. “Okay, calm down princess now explain what he meant” Asher said, kissing the top of my head. I sighed and turned so that I was leaning against his chest while he sat up against the headboard. “First I need you to clarify some things” I said. Asher nodded “Anything” he said. 

“When an alpha finds his mate, is it true that when they well… complete the mating process that the alpha becomes stronger and can tap into their full potential?” I asked.

“Yep” was his quick answer. 

I sighed and began to play with his fingers, I figured that was the answer.

“So that means that the longer they postpone the mating process, the pack and alpha become weaker?” I asked. 

I felt Asher shake his head “Well, if they postpone the mating the alpha doesn’t become weaker but the pack isn’t as strong as they could be and during this time it’s easiest to attack a pack. That’s why most mates, mate right away” he explained. I nodded my head in acknowledgement; I thought that might be the case.

“That’s not good” I murmured. 

“I won’t force you into anything” Asher said, sounding a little bit worried. I smiled and kissed his hand “No that’s not what I meant, I know you would never do that to me. The problem is that you can’t mark me until the month is over” I explained, tracing the scar he had on the palm of his hand. Asher stiffened and I soon found myself looking into his golden eyes. “What do you mean by that!?” he asked. I dropped his hand, suddenly getting nervous.

Come on Rosalie, put on your big girl pants and just say it. It’s not like Asher is going to hurt you, he can’t blame you! 

I took a deep breath before bringing my gaze back to his.

“I mean that you can’t mark me unless you want to die a painful death” I said. 

Asher chuckled and kissed my forehead “Come on sweetheart I know you don’t want me to mark you yet but killing me? Isn’t that a bit extreme?” he asked teasingly. I sighed “No Asher you don’t get it, I’m not joking you can’t mark me until I say it’s okay. I don’t want you dying on me” I said. Asher gave me a questioning look “Sweetheart you are confusing me, you’re going to have to explain here” he said sounding worried. I sighed; well it was now or never.

“I have silver in my blood” 

* * * * * *

Annnd chapter finished! Hope you liked it! =D

Sorry it took so long! I have been busy all week! But I won’t bore you with the details! This is going to be a short author’s note because I really got to get going!

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Until next time! <3

Xoxo- Shar